Desi Franklin has decided to take on the job of starting a real conversation on the subject of race in Memphis, Tennessee, and I commend her for it, and hope that you and I can lend a hand to this worthwhile endeavor.
This is a conversation that those of us must have if we are serious about bringing this city back from the precipice. There is much right with this city, and there is much wrong with this city, and we need to move it in the right direction.
I contend, however, as I have noted at that post, that you MUST include class and economics in this discussion in order to have a clear view of where we are, how we got here, and how we must improve the city. Without understanding how economics fits into the equation, we leave out the elephant in the room. I have to point out that only when Dr. King began to talk about economics was he considered dangerous outside the South and Midwest. It was also when he was murdered.
Nonetheless, I want to be a part of this ongoing conversation, and if you love Memphis, you should, too.
Go on over there.
Showing posts with label Desi Franklin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Desi Franklin. Show all posts
Friday, April 06, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm finally posting again...
And I need to post on a more normal basis.
Desi Franklin has announced her support for Rev. Keith Norman (D-First Baptist-Broad) for SCDP Chair; he is opposed by Jay Bailey, who has been around a while, as a local attorney who has also worked in his father Walter's numerous County commission campaigns.
I was impressed by Norman's candor and his willingness to get to the point about how he would lead the Party and the Executive Committee, a job akin to herding cats. I was a little nervous with the idea that he supports the ExecCom endorsing in non-partisan races, but that's really the only problem I had with him.
He looks like the type of person who would not hesitate to call bullshit on anyone (yes, even Commissioner Chism) who was putting the heat on him if he thought he was right. That's an admirable trait.
He is used to working with large organizations and BUDGETS and boards of Deacons, so he may be ready for this office. However, some will ask (and already have), how much actual elective experience does he have? A correct question to ask, to be sure; however, let me remind you that the person he is replacing had not just a local, but a REGIONAL reputation as a campaign manager, and, maybe that didn't work out as well as we (or he himself, for that matter) had hoped.
I don't have a vote, so it doesn't matter, but let me suggest to you that if you care about how this will turn out (and if you are a Shelby County Democrat, you damn well OUGHT TO CARE), come to the Pickering Center at 7771 Poplar Pike in G-town on Monday, March 26 at 6:30 P.M. Ask them the questions that you have, everything from whether Norman is too close to Sidney Chism to just what kind of disciplinary procedures have been applied to Jay Bailey.
Find out for yourself, and then make a good decision. It's up to YOU to determine what that may be.
Desi Franklin has announced her support for Rev. Keith Norman (D-First Baptist-Broad) for SCDP Chair; he is opposed by Jay Bailey, who has been around a while, as a local attorney who has also worked in his father Walter's numerous County commission campaigns.
I was impressed by Norman's candor and his willingness to get to the point about how he would lead the Party and the Executive Committee, a job akin to herding cats. I was a little nervous with the idea that he supports the ExecCom endorsing in non-partisan races, but that's really the only problem I had with him.
He looks like the type of person who would not hesitate to call bullshit on anyone (yes, even Commissioner Chism) who was putting the heat on him if he thought he was right. That's an admirable trait.
He is used to working with large organizations and BUDGETS and boards of Deacons, so he may be ready for this office. However, some will ask (and already have), how much actual elective experience does he have? A correct question to ask, to be sure; however, let me remind you that the person he is replacing had not just a local, but a REGIONAL reputation as a campaign manager, and, maybe that didn't work out as well as we (or he himself, for that matter) had hoped.
I don't have a vote, so it doesn't matter, but let me suggest to you that if you care about how this will turn out (and if you are a Shelby County Democrat, you damn well OUGHT TO CARE), come to the Pickering Center at 7771 Poplar Pike in G-town on Monday, March 26 at 6:30 P.M. Ask them the questions that you have, everything from whether Norman is too close to Sidney Chism to just what kind of disciplinary procedures have been applied to Jay Bailey.
Find out for yourself, and then make a good decision. It's up to YOU to determine what that may be.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Lots of terrific posts about the city and its future
First, Brassmask comes in with a post about WHAT a new mayor should stand for, and what the city needs in addition to a new mayor.
Next, Polar Donkey comes in with TWO posts (maps included, natch!) that illustrate the great divide in Big Shelby between white and black, and Republican & Democrat.
Next, Polar Donkey comes in with TWO posts (maps included, natch!) that illustrate the great divide in Big Shelby between white and black, and Republican & Democrat.
Then, Desi Franklin at WTL gives us a shout-out and also links to a Smart City post about what great city mayors can do. Inadvertently, it reveals that we have never had one, IMO.
Great work, folks!
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